Spudding machine



June 10, 1941. P. E. MILLER 2,245,544

SPUDDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR. PERRY E MALE/ 1 744 ATTORNEYS June 10, 1941- P. E. MILLER SPUDDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PERRY E Mus/P BY 4 144M774 we.

{# ATTORNEYS.

Patented June E0, 3941 UNETD ATES 5 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of surface removal.

It particularly relates to a novel type of mechanism, which I designate as a spudding machine, which is distinguished from present types of floor surfacing machines by the use of one or more reciprocating blades or spuds.

More specifically, it relates to a novel combination of mechanical movements; the resultant movement imparting a maximum cuttingand/or chopping action to the blades, with a minimum or absence of frictional or generated heat at the blade edge.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a machine having preferably a multiple of blades each operating in a predetermined orbit,

to remove surface coatings or surfaces, such as composition roofing, linoleum, and such extraneous materials as accumulated and dried lacquers and paints in spraying booths; solidified oils and greases, glues, waxes, etc., on factory floors. To level large areas, such as wood block flooring, the mortar bed for tile flooring, and to scarify hard surfaces, such as concrete floors.

Another object is to provide, by means of a multiple of cutting blades, a succession of transverse cutting blows, each bl-ade delivering the full transmitted power of the prime mover to a fractional part of the total transverse cut, and in consequence, a proportional reduction of the resistance of the substance being removed with a like reduction of the reaction to the machine.

Another object is to provide means for the removal of substances of low melting points and high viscosities, such as tars, asphalts, waxes, etc., with means for the dissipation of any generated frictional heat, thereby minimizing the adherence of these substances to the blades of the machine, and all surfaces they may contact, and thus facilitating their subsequent disposal.

A still further object is to provide means to adjust the depth of su face removal, also the force of the blow at the cutting edge together with a modification of the orbit or path of travel of the blade during the cutting stroke.

A further object is to provide means for adjusting the depth of the surface removal, such as would be desirable and useful on composition roofing, making possible the removal of gravel, gravel and tar or asphalt, gravel, tar or asphalt and felt.

Another object is to provide means for an independent vertical movement of the individual spud rods and attached blades, as would be desirable and necessary in the removal of surface A still further object is to provide means for V the removal of surfaces up to and at any vertical surface, such as the walls of a room, machine bases, and other equipment in factories, and chimneys, vent pipes and parapet walls on roofs.

Another object is to provide a cleared path free from all fragments for the tracking of the wheels supporting the machine, thereby maintaining a uniform depth of surface removal.

Another object is to prevent the backward movement of the machine, unless so desired by the operator.

A further object is to provide a portable machine of sturdy and compact construction, that is easy to operate and guide, so as to be effective in small or limited areas, and which is economical to operate.

While I recognize an additional number of applications for my spudding machine, I believe those mentioned to be the most important.

With these and other objects in view as will appear from the description, the invention resides in all the novel features of construction and combination of parts herein disclosed and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings accompanying this specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying my inventions in which certain of the parts are shown in section;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine (engine not shown) showing the operating mechanism in broken lines;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the path of travel of the cutting blades, and associated mechanism.

In describing my invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several view In carrying out my invention according to the embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings, I provide a shell-like housing or body I which serves to support the prime mover 2 and to house the spud or blade operating mechanism.

The body I may be a casting covering and supporting the blade operating mechanism and opening at the bottom. The body also includes a rear wall 3, side walls 4, and a downwardly inclined forward wall 5. Webs 6 connect and re inforce the front and rear walls and provide bearing supports for the crank shaft and spud rods to be hereinafter more fully described.

The machine that I have illustrated is portable, the body I being mounted on suitable rollers or wheels I and 8. The rear wheel 8 is swivelled in a bearing 9 .so that the machine may easily be guided by the operator in use.

Vertical adjustment of the cutting blades is accomplished by means of the screw I operating through the casing at H to slide the bearing sleeve 9 vertically in the swivel case I3, increasing or decreasing the angularity of the body I with reference to the floor level. Body I is pivotally supported by the shaft [2, which is rotatable in the forward wheels I, in consequence, an upward or downward movement of the casing at I l causes a proportional reverse vertical movement at the cutting blades.

The forward wheels I are rotatably mounted on the shaft l2 which is secured by bearings in walls 4 and to the inner hub of each wheel is keyed a ratchet wheel l4 engageable with a pawl 15 to prevent backward movement or creeping of the machine when the pawls are engaged with the ratchet wheels.

I have provided means for releasing the pawls l5 from the ratchet wheels l4 when it is desired to back up the machine as, for instance, in confined areas from walls or other vertical surfaces. This means includes the rods l9 pivotally connected at one end IT with the pawls, their opposite ends being in contact with the lower end of the handle bar l8 as at l9. The handle bar may be of tubular metal and is pivoted at 20 and 2| to the swivel housing to permit a slight oscillating motion in the handle bar. Springs 22 norfor .this purpose.

mally maintain the upper portion of the handle bar at its forward limit of movement as shown in Figure l and thereby permits the rods l6 to be retracted by springs 24 to the left to engage the pawls l5, pivoted to the housing at 23, betweenadjacent teeth of the ratchet wheels l4. Springs 22 are also employed to engage the pawls with the ratchet wheels.

The latter springs are anchored at one end in the housing at 25 and are connected under tension with the lower portion of the pawls 26.

Thus it will be seen that when pressure is applied to the handle bar to feed the machine, a concomitant movement allows the pawls to engage the ratchet wheels, permitting rotation of the wheels in a forward direction only.

When it is desired to back up the machine the reverse pressure will tilt the handle bar backward, thus projecting the connecting rod I6 to the right in Figure 1 to release the pawls from the respective ratchet wheels, thereby freeing the forward wheels I for the reverse rotation.

A crank shaft 21 is mounted transversely of the body I in bearings 28 formed in the body side walls 4 and the webs 6, respectively. In the embodiment illustrated I have shown a crank shaft having four crank arms to each of which is fitted a spud or blade rod 29.

The spud rods 29 extend forwardly and downwardly of the crank shaft and pass through openings 30 formed in the lower part of the front wall 5 of the body. These rods are supported in the body forwardly of the crank shaft and preferably close to the blade end by means of a shaft 3| and connecting links 32. The shaft 3| lies transversely of the body connecting the two side walls 4 thereof and is supported in suitable bearings 33 in the webs 6. The links 32 are freely rockable on the shaft 3| and are pivotally connected with the respective spud rods 29 as at 34. The forward end of each rod 29 terminates in a blade support 35 and blades 36, secured together rigidly by means of the bolts and nuts 31.

In the embodiment shown, I have provided four spud rods operated by the crank shaft and in Figure 2 I have shown the manner of projecting the spuds successively in independent cycles, so that in removing a surface the spudding action will progress forwardly as the machine advances, and transversely of the machine as the individual spud cycles are completed.

I have found in the case of small projecting areas or extremely hard substances that a degree of vertical rise is essential for each individual spud rod and blade. This has been provided for by the insertion of a cushioned bearing between the spud rods 29 and the links 32, which includes a split bearing sleeve comprising two components, the lower half 38 of rubber and the upper half 39 of metal. The metal upper half prevents any downward movement of the spud rod and blade, which would result in a greater depth of out than that chosen by the operator. On the other hand, the lower half being of rubber and'compressible, an upward movement of the spud rod may be effected by an increase of pressure at the cutting edge of the blade. I rec ogni'ze, and it will be obvious to those versed in the art involved, that any resilient and durable material may be employed and in particular metallic springs. However, my preference is rubber.

Any suitable motive power or prime mover may be employedto drive the spuds. I have shown a gas engine 2 mounted on top of the housing I The drive shaft 40 carries a *pulley 4l grooved to receive the drive belt 42 operating in a similar groove in the pulley 43 on the crank shaft 21. The usual engine controls are likewise provided and are readily accessible to the operator. In use the machine operates as follows:

The operator first adjusts the cutting blades to amply clear the surface to be operated upon, by means of turning the screw I 0, as has been described.

After the proper clearance has been obtained, the operator starts the engine 2. Power is transmitted through the pulleys 4| and 43, and the belt 42 to drive the crank shaft 21. As the crank shaft revolves, the spud rods 29 are each reciprocated and at the same time rocked about the center 44, imparting to the blades 36 a resultant motion defiined by the path or orbit 45 in Figure 4.

Screw I0 is then turned in the opposite direction until the blades have cut the surface to the desired depth, the machine may then be moved forward or at various angles, as may be found most expedient.

Obviously, the screw l0 may be turned from time to time to vary the cutting depth as conditions may require.

The shape of the orbit 45 depends upon the following factors, viz: the crank shaft throw, the length of the bar between the points 21 and 44, the length of the bar from point 44 to the cutting edge of the blade, the length of the link 32, from center to center, the angularity of the link movement with reference to a horizontal line-through the center, the horizontal distance of the link shaft axis 3| to the axis of the crank shaft, arrangement of the link shaft 3| above the spud rod 29, or the angle of the crank shaft arm at the instant the blow is delivered by the blade. It is, therefore, evident that my invention is readily adapted to various uses which require a specific blade motion. For instance, the type of blade motion suitable for scarifying surfaces such as concrete floors would not be desirable when the machine is used for removing a surface covering such as linoleum or roofing. In the latter instance a distinct upward movement of the blade, as at 46, Figure 4, is highly desirable after the full force of the forward thrust has been delivered.

With further reference to the blade path or orbit 45 in Figure 4, it will be noted that it is substantially elliptical or spiral on the upper side and relatively flat on the under side, and further, that the cutting action starts at a point intermediate between ii and I2 and ends approximately at 52. By actual measurements I have found that this cutting distance is about .04% of the total blade travel, and I believe that these proportions may be accepted as the relative frictional heating and cooling periods of the cycle. Additionally, at the normal operating speed of the machine, and particularly at the upper half of the orbit, the blades thoroughly agitate the surrounding air, thereby completely dissipating all residual heat that may have generated in the cutting edge of the blade, furthermore, due to the angularity of the crank arm at the cutting period, the forward cutting speed is less than 25% of the highest speed at 4 and ill of the crank shaft orbit, thus lessening the generation of frictional heat.

Further consideration of Figure 4 will disclose that the force of the blow is the resultant of the transmitted pressure exerted by the crank arm, (which is greatest for the forward movement from points I! to I of the crank arm orbit) and the inertia of the moving parts, viz: the crank shaft, the spud rod and blade and is not greatly affected by the link, which primarily functions as a guide, and to those skilled in the art, it is evident that the resultant forces are forward and upward, the required direction for hard substances, and as previously described, by virtue of the lower cutting speed, abrasive substances may be out without excessive wear of the blades.

Further study of Figure 4 disclosed that the blades travel sharply upward at l2 of orbit 45, and at the normal operating speed this movement throws all fragments well forward of the machine, leaving a clean and level path for the wheels 'I and 8, thereby insuring an even and uniform cutting depth. Additionally, since the cutting action is well forward of the body of the machine it permits the removal of substances up to and at vertical surfaces.

In the foregoing example, I have set forth in detail the mechanical movement employed to operate the cutting blade or spud, whereby the blade may be caused to trace an orbit which is substantially elliptical or spiral on one side and relatively fiat on the opposite side.

I do not wish to be limited in either respect to that example, for I recognize both the mechanical movement and the orbit may and necessarily will be varied to meet a wide variety of uses, for example, I may place the link shaft 3| over and above the spud rod 29, thereby inverting the blade path or orbit, or I may reciprocate the spud rod in a slide at point 44, Figure 1, instead of the indicated link and shaft, the angularity of this slide may be varied with reference to a horizontal line, thus causing a wide variation of the blade orbit.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a body, a crank shaft, means for rotating said crank shaft, a connecting rod pivotally connected at one end to said crank shaft and operating through said body, a blade on the other end of said connecting rod, and means for pivotally supporting said rod intermediate its ends in said body, said last named means including a link pivotally connected to said body and said rod, and a cushioning member carried by said link partially absorbing a backward upward thrust in said connecting rod when the blade impinges upon an obstruction.

2. In a surface treating machine, a plurality of relatively broad blades arranged in close side by side relation and operable to deliver a transverse succession of forward impact cutting blows to a surface to be treated so as to throw particles loosened by the blades well forwardly of the machine, and means for operating said blades, said means including a driving member, a blade support for each blade having pivoted connection with said driving member and having pivotal connection with the machine body at a point between the blade and said first pivotal connection.

3. In a surface treating machine, an ambulant body, a plurality of surface treating tools arranged in close side by side fashion on said body and having broad forward faces, and means carried by the body for thrusting said tools successively forwardly of the machine to thereby impact the tools with the surface at a point just prior to the limit of forward tool motion, said means causing an immediate subsequent upward movement of the tools whereby to throw chips or surface particles removed by said impact blows well forward of the machine, said means including a driving member, a rocker arm for each blade driven by said member, said rocker arms being pivotally connected at one end to said driving member and pivotally supported intermediate its ends by the machine body to impart the aforesaid movement to the blades.

4. In a surface treating machine, a plurality of blades arranged in close side by side relation for movement forwardly of the machine, and means for operating said blades in successive and identical cycles of movement characterized by a forward and downward impact thrust, a momentary upward and forward motion and a final return motion, whereby particles removed from the surface by the impact thrust will be thrown well forward of the machine, said means including a driving member, a rocker arm for each blade driven by said member, said rocker arms being pivotally connected at one end to said driving member and pivotally supported intermediate its ends by the machine body to impart the aforesaid movement to the blades.

5. A machine of the class described comprising an ambulant body, a power driven crank shaft rotatable in the body, a plurality of arms each connected at one end to and driven by the crank shaft, a surface treating tool on the respective opposite ends of the arms, said tools having broad forward faces, and a link pivotally connected to said body and to an intermediate portion of each of said arms whereby upon rotation of the crank shaft each of said tools will progressively describe an orbit characterized by a substantially flat underside inclined toward the surface to be treated to deliver an impact cutting blow to the surface and then terminating near the extreme limit of forward tool motion in a sharp upward and forward path whereby chips or particles released from the said surface by the impact of the tool will be thrown forwardly of this machine.

PERRY E. MILLER. 

